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OLYMPIA– On Tuesday, the Senate passed Move Ahead Washington, SB 5974, an investment in our community and our environmental health.

“We know that transportation is one of biggest carbon-emitting sectors in our state,” said Sen. Joe Nguyen (D-White Center). “This package responds to the climate crisis and makes brave investments in maintenance and preservation, including investments in multimodal with transit, high-speed rail, and ferries. This package invests in a future in which we have prioritized the health and wellbeing of our communities, locally and globally.”

Move Ahead Washington is a $16 billion, 16-year, transportation investment package with unprecedented investments and additions to previous investments to reduce carbon, increase multimodal options for community members, and provide equitable, safe and affordable transit options.

Move Ahead makes specific investments in the 34^th Legislative District, targeted around carbon reduction and safer routes:

• Approximately $1.2 billion for preservation and electrification for our ferry system, which are considerable emitters of carbon.
• $500,000 for safer walkways in White Center.
• $514 million for improving our transit system in Burien and beyond.

“This package speaks volumes to what we as a Legislature value for our community members,” said Nguyen. “We value a sustainable future for generations to come so that they have a brighter, safer, more equitable tomorrow.”

OLYMPIA– Legislation passed today by the Senate would accelerate the state’s efforts to reduce carbon and pollution from residential and commercial buildings.

“Residential and commercial buildings are the second-largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Washington and account for 27% of statewide emissions,” said Sen. Joe Nguyen (D-West Seattle). “This legislation provides an accessible, incentive-based program to reduce the energy buildings use, and in turn bring down statewide emissions.”

Senate Bill 5722 would overhaul energy standards for commercial buildings larger than 50,000 square feet and would direct the Department of Commerce to adopt state energy management and benchmarking standards for all buildings between 20,000 and 50,000 square feet and for multifamily residential buildings larger than 20,000 square feet.

“Washington is a leader in climate action, but we’re not leading fast enough,” said Nguyen. “We need to be a lot bolder, and we need to address the environmental injustice past actions have inflicted on our communities. The cost of carbon-emitting buildings going unchecked drastically outweighs the benefits of protecting the planet for our children and the future of our communities.”

Senate Bill 5722 builds on the 2019 Clean Buildings Act, which established energy performance standards for buildings.

Nguyen’s governor-request legislation now moves to the House for consideration. The 2022 legislative session is scheduled to adjourn on March 10.

OLYMPIA – Legislation that would allow temporary shelters or transitional encampments for people experiencing homelessness to be quickly sited passed off the Senate floor.

Senate Bill 5428, sponsored by State Sen. Joe Nguyen (D-West Seattle), would give local jurisdictions a valuable option for relieving homelessness.

“In the two years of the pandemic, we saw a critical housing issue go from bad to much worse,” said Nguyen. “Temporary shelters and transitional housing add another tool to the toolbox in providing some relief to our housing crisis. While these shelters aren’t the ultimate solution, our communities are in urgent need.”

Temporary shelters provide quarters for sleeping and shelter. They may offer food preparation, showers, or other common services. Transitional encampment includes tents, modular structures or similar shelters, including vehicles used for shelter, providing temporary quarters for sleeping and shelter. SB 5428 provides exemptions to site a temporary shelter or transitional encampment if the facility is used for people experiencing homelessness and is not a new permanent structure.

“Shelters have been desperately needed for members of our community,” said Nguyen. “It is especially troubling during colder weather conditions and as we have moved away from the congregate shelter model. We need to create more opportunities for sanctioned encampments and help our unhoused neighbors with a safe and stable place to live.”

The bill does not exempt local jurisdictions from ensuring the health, safety, and environmental integrity of the temporary emergency shelter. Rather, it will prevent the delay of much needed shelter for community members experiencing homelessness. The bill also requires local jurisdiction within which the facility is sited to have declared a state of emergency on homelessness.

The legislation now moves to the House for consideration. The 2022 legislative session is scheduled to adjourn on March 10.

OLYMPIA – Families that rely on Washington’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program will see an additional boost in benefits along with clarified expectations under legislation signed into law today by Gov. Inslee.

Senate Bill 5214, sponsored by Sen. Joe Nguyen (D-West Seattle), will allow more families to continue using the vital social program during times of high statewide unemployment.

The new law will allow for hardship extensions beyond the 60-month lifetime TANF limit if state unemployment is at or above 7 percent.

“Even before the public health crisis we are currently in, it was clear that our communities were not receiving all of the resources they needed to thrive,” said Nguyen. “Now, with an increased need for services for Washington families, it’s more important than ever that we make investments in the families that need an additional boost.”

2020 saw both a spike in unemployment applications and an increased demand for cash and food assistance as the coronavirus pandemic and corresponding public health actions resulted in numerous business closures and reductions statewide.

“We shouldn’t be penalizing people who are unable to find work during an economic crisis,” Nguyen said. “Instead, we should be lifting residents up and using the tools we have to help Washington families get to the other side of a difficult time. This bill guides us in the right direction.”

The 2021-2023 budget approved by the Legislature also includes a 15% grant increase to families that utilize TANF – the single largest increase since the program’s inception. A family of three will see maximum grants increase from $569 to up to $654.

SB 5214 takes effect July 1, 2022. The 2021-2023 operating budget suspends the TANF 60-month time limit until the bill takes effect, ensuring that families in need will continue to stay in the program.

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